Hog raisers urged to insure swine amid ASF threat

The Department of Agriculture in Western Visayas (DA-6) has urged hog raisers and swine farmers in Western Visayas to insure their livestock amid the threats of the African Swine Fever (ASF).

In a virtual press conference on Wednesday, DA-6 appealed to local government units (LGUs) and hog raisers to avail of the insurance program of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) for their swine.

According to PCIC regional manager Eva Ulie Laud, the PCIC will indemnify animals who will be lost due to ASF.

PCIC aims to insure 370,490 heads of swine in Western Visayas.

Meanwhile, based on the DA’s Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), a total of 251,928 swine heads were entitled to a premium subsidy of over P80 million.

Once insured, swine farmers will receive P7,000 per head for fattener hogs and P10,000 per head for breeders if infected with ASF.

The agency urged hog raises to insure their hogs by coordinating with their respective local government units (LGU) through the municipal or city agriculture offices.

While the region has maintained its ASF-free status, the agriculture department is currently monitoring the borders in the region amid the threats of ASF.

The LGUs in the region also banned the entry of swine and pork products from areas affected by ASF.

DA-6 Regional Executive Director Remelyn Recoter, who also sits as chairman of ASF Regional Task Force, said that the region must strengthen its border restrictions to prevent the possible entry of ASF.

Recoter noted that they are strictly monitoring the borders particularly in northern Iloilo and Capiz where there are direct trips from Masbate which already has cases of ASF.

“We are closely monitoring the borders especially dira sa northern Iloilo and Capiz. We have to protect our industry especially more than half of it are being raised by backyard farmers,” she said.

Recoter has issued implementing guidelines on coastal borders in Western Visayas on April 29, in relation to DA Memorandum No. 25 series of 2021, requiring ASF Clearance from local government fishing boats from Masbate to Visayas.

“All inbound fishing vessels from Masbate will now be required to secure an African Swine Fever (ASF) clearance issued by the Bureau of Animal Industry-Veterinary Station V, DA Regional Field Office V, or by Local Government Offices of Masbate. The ASF Clearance is a pre-requisite prior to the issuance of clearance from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).”

Sanctions for violators or carried prohibited commodities will be subject to administrative/legal sanctions of any implementing agencies in the control of ASF.

Recently, President Rodrigo Duterte has issued a proclamation declaring national state of calamity due to ASF outbreaks.

Data from DA revealed that ASF has affected 12 regions, 502 municipalities, and over 2,000 barangays, as of May 7, 2021.

A total of 472,067 animals were culled due to the outbreaks.

With declaration of the national state calamity, Recoter said LGUs will now be empowered to utilize appropriate funds to contain the spread, curtail pork prices, and support recovery of affected areas.

To keep the region ASF-free, the agriculture department has also reminded swine farmers to avoid swell feeding and observe enhanced security by using foot baths, washing hands, and limiting of people in the farm.

As to the traders, they are encouraged to regularly disinfect their transport carriers. The public is also advised to patronize the local industry by buying pork and stop buying from online pork sellers. (ERS)